Question

I performed an experiment recently, and found potassium nitrate (KNO3) to be soluble in water but not hexane; and to have a red/green light color and insensity and a strong conductor (conductivity).

But potassium nitrate I found is non-polar, I thought non-polar molecules didn't dissolve in water and are generally weak conductors? please explain how this is possible, thank you.

NOTE: I know KNO3 is ionic, and most ionic bonds are polar; so, I'm confused as to how it is non-polar based on information online.

Answer 1

Potassium nitrate is an inorganic compound and it is a Neutral salt becuase it is formed from strong acid like HNO3 and strong base like KOH. As it is ionic salt and polar it will dissolve in water completly. Also it completly dissosiates in to K+ and NO3- ions so it is a strong conductor. There is no confusion about this data. Just follow this.

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